CAMERON – In the first staggered-term election for the Calhoun County town of Cameron, the Nov. 3 nonpartisan municipal vote will feature one challenger to the mayor and six candidates in the running for the four council seats.

Mayor Russ Middleton, who has served since 2006, is being challenged by Carol Summers, a part-time assistant solicitor in the 2nd Judicial Circuit and a former assistant prosecutor with the 1st Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

In the race for the four seats on council are incumbent Councilwomen Linda Godwin, Amanda Jenkins and Mona Summers, as well as political newcomers Gladys Elay Black Gardner-Simmons, Minnie Haigler and Wayne Polin. Veteran incumbent Councilman Johnny Wesner is not seeking re-election.

The top two vote-getters in the race for council will be elected for four-year terms. The two winners with the lowest number of votes will be elected for two-year terms. All future council terms will be for four years. However, the mayor’s term will remain at two years.

Cameron has a population of 449. It has 219 registered voters.

Russ Middleton

First elected to fill an unexpired term in 2006, Middleton says he’d be honored to serve a second full two-year term as mayor.

“I served my country in the Army and I am a Vietnam veteran. I served Calhoun County and Cameron as a fireman and I’m on the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department,” he said. “I’ll respect all citizens, no matter how they vote.”

During his tenure, Middleton says, a couple of programs started that he’d like to see completed, such as adding new sidewalks. Otherwise, he says, “I’d hate to make plans until I’m elected.”

Middleton is the manager of Palmetto Peanut.

Carol Summers

In making her first bid for public office, Summers says that, after spending her entire professional career in public service, the run for mayor is a “natural progression of things.”

Summers served as assistant solicitor under former 1st Judicial Circuit Solicitor Walter Bailey for eight years and then entered private law practice. She closed the law practice in May to stay home with her children. Also, she works approximately five hours a week as a part-time solicitor for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, handling all of the cases in Bamberg County.

Married to Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers, she says that she and her husband chose Cameron to raise their children.

“His entire family is here,” she said. “My future is here. We’re very vested in the community. ... It’s important to see it move forward and keep the charm of a small town.”

Summers cites no particular issues with Middleton or in the campaign.

With a background in law and public service, Summers says she thinks they’re good qualifications for office.

“Cameron is a really good place right now. It has a good police and fire department,” she said. “We need a balance to keep it as it is and move forward.”

Originally from Orangeburg, Summers is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and its Law School.

Linda Godwin

“I’m proud of our pretty little town and I’ve enjoyed serving for 20 years,” said the veteran councilwoman. “I look forward to another term. ... I love the town.”

The remodeling of the town hall is a project she’s particularly proud of, Godwin says. Also coming up is the effort to get sidewalks paved.

“Financially, our town is in good shape,” she said. “We’ve never had any problems.”

In addition, Godwin stresses that Cameron is very fortunate to have “our town clerk, who does a super job, and the police chief, who is also a paramedic.”

A native of Cameron and a high school graduate, Godwin operates a local beauty shop.

Amanda Jenkins

After a number of years on council, Jenkins says she decided to seek re-election because “we get along so well here in Cameron.”

“Cameron is moving. But it’s a quiet town. Everybody in Cameron seems to get along. Everybody knows each other. Town Council is very cooperative and the people are concerned about each other,” she said. “And, they’re not concerned with the color of skin.”

If re-elected, Jenkins says she’d like to see more beautification done.

A retired Calhoun County teacher, Jenkins has a degree in elementary education from Claflin University.

Mona Summers

A veteran member of council for at least 15 years, Summers says she thinks local voters know what council has accomplished and appreciate the efforts.

“I’m satisfied with everything council has accomplished. There’s peace and not too many problems,” she said. “As for finances, we’re not in the hole like a lot of things are.”

If re-elected, Summers says she’d like to continue efforts to clean up property and “see the sidewalk grant we’ve been promised.”

“I’ve been satisfied. The town is running smoothly and we’ve done a good job with our money,” she said. “The town is running right.”

A 48-year resident of Cameron, Summers is a high school graduate and a housewife.

Gladys Elay Black Gardner-Simmons

“I knew there would be a vacancy and I wanted to see what I can do to help with the town. ... I want to do what I can for this little town,” Gardner-Simmons said.

After finishing an interview, Gardner-Simmons called back. She said that, after a discussion with her husband, “I don’t want any information going in there, except what I made in reference to the vacancy of the seat.”

She works at Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5.

Minnie Haigler

A long-time resident of Cameron, Haigler says she regularly attends council meetings.

“I felt like I’m a good person for the seat and I’ll make a good town councilwoman,” she said. “Cameron is small. It’s a beautiful little town and quiet, but there are some changes that can be made. Town Council, together with the people, can make them.”

The cleanup of vacant property is one change she’d like to see, Haigler says. Also, she notes the planned sidewalks as a future project. Otherwise, she says, there are not a lot of issues.

A high school graduate, Haigler has attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She is employed as a clerk in the Orangeburg County department of building inspections. She has also worked in the county’s offices of tax assessor and Family Court.

Her local government work experience and background, Haigler says, are good qualities that she would bring to council.

Wayne Polin

Active in the community, Polin says he decided to run when he heard that some on council were retiring.

“I’ve lived 40-something years here and I know the town pretty well. I work in the public,” said Polin, who has a local barber shop/hair salon. “I work with the volunteer fire department, too.”

If elected, Polin says he’d work to make sure signs and address numbers are put up. Also, he’d like to see council meetings conducted in a timely manner.

“There are no big issues. I’m not against anybody,” he said. “There was a vacant seat.”

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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